Mark Jackson returns to ESPN

(SportsNetwork.com) - Former Golden State Warriors head coach Mark Jackson has reached a multi-year agreement with ESPN to return as a game analyst.

Jackson spent seven years as an analyst for ESPN, ABC and the YES Network following his playing career before earning his first professional coaching job with Golden State in June 2011. He spent three seasons guiding the Warriors, improving the win total every year and reaching the playoffs twice after the club had just one postseason stint in the 17 seasons prior to his arrival. A fallout with management ultimately led to his dismissal earlier this month.

Former TNT analyst Steve Kerr reached a five-year agreement to become the next Warriors head coach earlier this week.

Jackson had been rumored to be in the running for the Knicks' vacant coaching position.